Weakest Australian team ever to tour India: Harbhajan Singh

New Delhi: Indian ace spinner Harbhajan Singh termed Australian squad as the weakest side ever touring India.

Off-spinner has rated the current Steven Smith and company as the “weakest ever” in recent times to tour India.

India dubbed as favourites against the Aussies with four match series schedule to start from February 23.

“I have played against some of the best Australian sides. In my opinion, looking at the composition, this is the weakest Australian side to tour India,” he said.

“I don’t think this team has the wherewithal to cope with a quality Indian side in the Indian conditions. It can 4-0 again like 2013 season,” Harbhajan said.

When asked about his strong observations, Harbhajan, who got a record 32 wickets in the epic 2001 series, said: “That team 2001 had Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Adam Gilchrist, Rickey Ponting and Steve Waugh”.

“I don’t think this batting line-up can offer resistance to Ashwin and Jadeja, if you take Steve Smith and David Warner”.

“Both know how to get wickets on the Indian tracks.”

Australia scored 469 in the practice game. But that’s against an India A in which there aren’t any of the first team players of the Test side.

In fact, the ‘Turbanator’ termed England side that drubbed 0-4, as a better outfit than this Australian side.

“I believe the England team that toured India recently were a better batting outfit. They scored 400 plus runs on multiple occasions. It’s not going to happen with this Australian side,” he said.

He was also dismissive of Mitchell Starc being a big threat with his pace and ability to bowl reverse swing.

“The series is starting at a time when India summer commences. Starc would find it difficult to bowl more than 3-4 overs at full tilt in this heat and humidity.

“Also how many overs will Starc bowl in an innings? 20 overs. So how much his body will hold during the third or fourth spell will be key,” he said.